Långholmen and Reimersholme: the prison island and the bathing rocks: a walk in Stockholm

From Hornstull cross Pålsundet onto Långholmen, Stockholm's prison island until 1975 and now a green island with a path around the whole shore, past the old shipyard and the former central prison (now a hotel, hostel and restaurant with a prison museum), to the beach at Långholmsbadet, then over Långholmsbron to the small island of Reimersholme.

Best time: A warm summer afternoon for a swim, or any season for the shore walk

The route, stop by stop

1
Hornstull
Start at Hornstull metro station and walk north to the water. 5 min.
2
Pålsundsbron
Bridge over Pålsundet, the 600 m channel between Södermalm and Långholmen that served as a customs barrier for Mälaren traffic from the 1620s; leisure boats moor along it today. 5 min.
3
Mälarvarvet
The shipyard on Långholmen, with roots back to the 1680s. 10 min.
4
Långholmens centralfängelse
The central prison built 1874-1880, with up to 500 cells, closed between 1972 and 1975. Sweden's last execution took place in its yard in 1910. The old remand prison now holds an inn, hotel and hostel, with a small prison museum. 30 min.
5
Långholmsbadet
The beach on the north shore, laid out in the 1980s; farther east are the rocks of Långholmens klippbad, once the women's and children's bath. A shore path now runs around the whole island. 30 min, longer with a swim.
6
Långholmsbron
Bridge across Långholmskanalen on the island's west side. 5 min.
7
Reimersholme
The 640 m island named in 1798 after the hatter and alderman Anders Reimers, whose estate stood on its east side. Walk the shore path round the island. 30 min.
A 640-metre residential island west of Långholmen with a shoreline path of just over a kilometre under willows; Stockholmers walk it in every season, even when ice floes clink in…

Walking directions

Långholmen and Reimersholme: the prison island and the bathing rocks

The route, stop by stop

More walks in Stockholm